CHANGE IN LEBANON

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28699, 24 September 1958, Page 13

CHANGE IN LEBANON

Fear Of New Violence

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) BEIRUT, Sept. 23. General Fuad Chehab today assumed the Presidency of the Lebanon amid fears of fresh violence in this small republic. Intensive security precautions have been taken to ensure that the Presidential installation ceremony in the Parliament Building later today goes without a hitch. Right-wing Christian Falangists, supporters of the outgoing President, Dr. Camille Chamoun during the last four months of civil disorder, have threatened to try to prevent Gei. iral Chehab from taking the oath of office.

Beirut has been full of rumours that the Falangists would soon start trouble against the antiChamoun rebels, who waged a violent campaign to oust the old regime. A secret Falangist Radio yesterday declared that talks were under way to establish a free Government, which could ensure justice and rid the Lebanon of traitors.

On the other hand, the rebels will have achieved most of their aims with the installation of General Chehab and the likelihood of their representation in the new Government.

A big question ir. Beirut is what part former President Chamoun will play in the political future. He has taken the leadership of a new party ‘Liberal-Nr.tional-ists” and is expected to try to have it well represented in the next Parliament.

Mr Chamoun will take no part in today’s installation. He will wait at the Presidential Palace until Genera] Chehab arriv.sthere from Parliament, and will then leave Beirut for a mountain village. Later he may go on holiday, perhaps to the United States. Cairo Radio last night made a bitter attack on the outgoing leader, and warned, “Tonight is your last night, Camille Chamoun.”

“No imperialism and no occupation troops can protect Chamoun, because times have changed, and tonight Chamoun is on his own. This age is truly the age of the people,” the radio said.